Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Secretary Becerra of the Department of Health and Human Services released a letter to health care leaders and stakeholders on the impacts of Hurricane Helene. The letter includes the current status of supply chain disruption, what can be expected in the coming months, and what can be done in light of the challenges faced. Read the letter to learn more.

The U.S. Department of HHS and CMS released final guidance on October 2 outlining the process for the second cycle of negotiations under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. The guidance includes information on how CMS will help ensure people with Medicare can access drugs at the negotiated prices when the prices become effective. CMS will announce the selection of up to 15 additional drugs covered by Part D for the second cycle of negotiations by February 1, 2025. This final guidance includes lessons learned from the first cycle of negotiations and comments received. Additionally, the final guidance outlines improvements to the design of patient-focused engagement events. Read the release to learn more.

On April 16, 2024, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) announced the Prevention and Public Health Fund Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Program Information Collection was submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. This thirty-day notice collects comments on the information collection requirements related to the proposed extension of this information collection. Comments must be submitted electronically by May 16, 2024.

HHS recently announced the ‘HHS Bridge Access Program For COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments Program’ creating a $1.1 billion public-private partnership to help maintain uninsured individuals’ access to COVID-19 care at their local pharmacies, through existing public health infrastructure, and at their local health centers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will purchase and distribute COVID-19 vaccines to 64 state and local health department immunization awardees, and the awardees will distribute vaccines to local health departments and health centers supported by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Second, create is creating a novel, funded partnership with pharmacy chains.

On March 15, CMS released initial guidance describing the requirements and parameters on key elements of the new Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program for 2026. The initial program guidance describes the requirements and procedures for the first set of negotiations, which will occur during 2023 and 2024 and result in prices effective in 2026.

A recent report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services used Medicare data to identifiy certain characteristics or risk factors that placed nursing home residents at an increased risk of discharge. Characteristics included residents with severe behavioral symptoms, residents with psychiatric and mood disorders, residents with impairments that required more staff time, residents transitioning to Medicaid.

On Friday, November 11, 2022 HHS announced that it will again extend the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). Based on commitments to provide at least 60 days’ notice prior to allowing the PHE to lapse, HHS had until Saturday, November 12, to provide states with notice that the PHE would either be extended or end in January. This means that unwinding protocol will not yet begin, and that the PHE policies such as Medicaid FMAP increases; continuous eligibility; and the 1135, Appendix K, and Emergency SPAs will remain in effect.

Today, February 4, 2022, The Department of Health & Human Services has issued new guidance to health care providers on civil rights protections for people with disabilities during COVID-19. The guidance, issued by HHS’ Office for Civil Rights, makes it clear that during the public health emergency it is vital that individuals with disabilities are not prevented from receiving needed health care benefits and services, as this violates federal civil rights laws.